Beaming apparatus



June 26, 1951 E. K. BAUER El AL BEAMING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 8, 1947 INVENTORS. ERNEST A. BAUER By WILL 1AM H VEW7'0N E. K. BAUER El AL BEAMING APPARATUS June 26, 1 951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 8, 1947 uvmvronsf" ERNEST K BA UER y W/L L MM H. ,NEWTON June 26,195]

E. K. BAUER El AL BEAIIING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed llay 8, 1947 mmvrons. ERNEST K. BAUER y W//. L IAM H. NEWTON Patented June 26, 1951 BEAMIN G APPARATUS Ernest K. Bauer and William H. Newton, Meadville, Pa., assignors to American Viscose Corporation, Wilmington, DeL, a corporation of Delaware Application May'8, 1947, Serial No. 746,670

30 Claims. 1

This invention relates to warp beaming apparatus and is particularly concerned with a device adapted to clamp and tension the warp to facilitate the taping of the yarn ends preliminary to the dofiing of a full beam. It is also concerned with a device adapted to take up or store a considerable length of the warp during backwinding or unwinding to discover broken ends whenever such broken ends become wound upon the beam because of inability to stop the beamer suificiently quickly after breakage of an end.

in general the invention comprises means for clamping the warp across its entire width, and warp-tensioning means positioned between the clamping means and the take-up beam. The tensioning means comprises one or more stationary warp-engaging elements and one or more movable warp-engaging elements, which elements may advantageously be formed of rollers extending across the warp.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide reciprocable supporting means upon which the movable warp-engaging means freely rests for lowering and elevating the warp-engaging means into and out of operative tensioningengagement with the warp respectively. At a predetermined position of the movable warp-engaging means at which the warp is under tension, the supporting means is released from the warpengaging means. thereby allowing the full weight thereof to be transferred to the warp. When the device is arrested after the warp-engaging means is released from the supporting means, a constant tension is maintained upon the warp throughout the unwinding to find a broken end. Means is provided for stopping the movable warp-engaging means when its extreme position corresponding to the maximum capacity is attained.

It is a further object to provide means for auto matically reversing the beam-driving means after the warp-engaging means is released from its supporting means.

A further object is to provide latching means for locking or holding the clamping means in its clamping position.

A further object is to provide means for automatically tripping the latch and quickly opening the clamping means during the return stroke of the warp-engaging means after the full weight thereof is again transferred to the reciprocable supporting means.

A further object is to provide means for automatically stopping the movable warp-engaging means at its upper extreme position.

Further objects and advantages will be appar- 2 ent from the drawing and the description thereof hereinafter.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 is a plan view, with parts broken away,

Figure 3 is a section taken on line III-III of Figure 2 showing the releasable connection between the supporting means and the carriage for the warp-engaging means, the view being inclined as indicated by reference to the dotted line which represents the horizontal,

Figure 4 is a section on line IVIV of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a section on line V-V of Figure 2, and

Figure 6 is a schematic view showing the electrical and hydraulic connections for driving the embodiments of Figures '1 to 5.

Figure 1 shows a warp beam framework 3 adapted to support a beam 4 which may be driven by any suitable means such as by the motor 5 and chain 6. A large number of yarns proceed from a supply thereof such as from a plurality of bobbins I carried within a creel diagrammatically illustrated at 8. The yarns may proceed through individual tension devices, breakage detectors, and guides of conventional construction as they leave the creel and then proceed to the warp beamer through the reed 9, a normally open clamping means II], a normally inoperative tensioning means ll, another reed or comb l2 and, if desired, a delivery or guide roll l3 rotatably -mounted on the framework of the beamer.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, two spaced brackets I4 are secured to the framework 3 of the beamer and project therefrom toward the creel or other yarn supply. Spaced angle irons l5 are provided to give additional support to the outer ends of the brackets l4. One or more (six being actually shown) warp-engaging elements, such as the rotatable rollers 16 having trunnions l1, are provided with bearings I 8 supported by the brackets I4.

To co-operate with the stationary rollers I 6, there is provided movable warp-engaging means in the form of one or more (five being actually shown) rollers is rotatably mounted within bearings 20 provided in the spaced arms or rods 2| secured to a movable carriage 22. The carriage 22 comprises two side frames of generally triangular shape and transverse bracing struts 23 as well as a transverse plate 24 at its upper right hand end as the device is viewed in Figure 1. The carriage is mounted for movement up and down upon suitable guides or tracks which are inclined to the horizontal and provided at opposite sides of the beamer. The track for the near side of the carriage (Fig. 1) is shown at in Figure 4. The inclination of the rack may be at any angle including the vertical but is preferably considerably less than the vertical as shown to provide increased capacity and to eliminate any swinging of the carriage upon the yarns in case of any play or backlash between the track and the carriage. The carriage is provided with a plurality of grooved guiding wheels 26 and ungrooved guiding wheels 21 which bear upon opposite complementarily grooved and ungrooved surfaces of the track 25.

As is shown more particularly in Figures 2 and 3, the cross plate 24 of the carriage 22 is provided with two spaced projecting plates 28 which are recessed as at 29, thereby providing opposed overhanging shoulders or ridges 30 under which two outwardly pressed pawls 3| and 32 engage. The pawls are pivotally mounted upon a stub shaft 33 secured in a yoke 34 fastened to the end of a piston rod 35. A V-shaped spring 36 having an intermediate coil encircling the shaft 33 has its two branches or arms bearing against pins 31 to urge the pawl into diverged position in which their upper ends abut against the shoulders 30 of the projections 28. It is thus that the carriage with the movable warpengaging elements 19 is releasably supported upon the piston rod 35. The framework 3 of the warp beam may be provided with a guide bearing 38 for the piston rod, extending from the hydraulic cylinder 39. In addition, spaced strips 40 may serve to guide the stub shaft 33.

Alongside a predetermined position in the path of the pawls 3| and 32 as they move downwardly, there are provided two spaced lugs 4| which are adapted to press the pawls together as they enter therebetween. thereby releasing the pawls from the shoulders 30 of the projections 28 on the carriage. A limit switch J is provided for automatically stopping the movement of the piston rod after lugs 4! cause the pawls to release the carriage.

The carriage 22 is provided with a cam plate 42 having square ends 43 and 44 respectively. Along the path of this cam which is carried by the carriage, switches F and R are disposed with their feelers adapted to be operated by the cam faces. Switch F is operated by the face 43 when the carriage has moved the elements Hi from their uppermost position shown in solid lines in Figure 1, to the next lower position, shown in dotted lines in which they are just below the stationary roller elements l6, and in which position the warp yarns are fully tensioned. Switch R on the other hand is operated upon the upstroke of the carriage by means of the surface 44. A limit switch K is provided near the bottom of the device and is arranged to be operated by the carriage when it is in the lowest dotted line position shown in Figure 1.

Each of the bracket l4 has a generally upstanding projection 45 provided with vertical slots 46 (see particularly Figures 1 and 5). Beneath the slots 46 there is a transverse, rigid, rod 41 which may have a flat padded top surface of leather, felt-backed leather, or feltbacked rubber, as shown at 48. The rod 41 is rigidly secured at both ends to the opposite brackets l4. As shown in Figure 2, a clamping rod 49 which may have its lower surface padded in a manner similar to the upper surface of rod 41, is mounted for reciprocation in a vertical plane in the slots 46. The sections of the rod 49 which engage the slots are preferably rectangular in order to maintain the proper disposition of its padded bottom surface in opposition to the upper surface of the stationary rod 41.

Means are provided for moving the clamping rod 49 into and out of operative clamping position against the rod 41. See Figure 5 especially. This means comprises a similar operating linkage at both ends of the clamping bar including at each end a hydraulic cylinder 50 pivotally mounted at 5| upon the bracket l4, a piston rod 52 connected to the piston therein, a bell crank lever 53 secured to a common shaft 54 rotatably mounted upon the brackets l4, and a link 55 pivotally connected to the lever 53 and having a loose connection 11 (by virtue of a slot at 56) with a rounded extension of the clamping bar 49. An arm 53a is secured to the shaft 54 adjacent each end thereof to balance the force against cylinders 50. One of them has a pin 53!) which presses against the contact element 0' and holds switch 0 open in the position shown in Figure 1.

There is also mounted upon the projecting portion 45 of each bracket l4 a latch 51 which pivots upon a stub shaft 58. A spring finger 59 is secured to the latch and projects therefrom so that it is normally engaged by the downwardly descending clamp bar 49. This engagement swings the latch 51 into the latching position shown in solid lines in Figure 5.

A transverse rock shaft 60 extends between the brackets l4 and carries at each end a projecting lug 6| secured rigidly thereto. A spring 62 connects the lug Bl' with the adjacent latch 51 as indicated in Figure 5. It will be noted that when the latch 51 is swung into latching position, its opposite end 63 is moved out of the way of the lug 6i and the spring 62 thereby swings shaft 60 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 5. When this occurs, a pin 64 upon the. lug 6| engages the movable contact 65 of switch I, a similar actuation being effected of the switch I on the opposite side of the device for purposes to be described more fully hereinafter.

In moving the clamp bar 49 into clamping position, springs 66 disposed below the clamping rod at each end thereof are compressed so that upon the subsequent release of the latch 51, the clamp bar is quickly moved up out of engagement with the warp. The transverse shaft also carries an arm 61 which is recessed to receive for pivotal mounting within the recess a trigger 68. A leaf spring .69 normally urges the trigger into the position shown in Figure 5. This trigger extends into the path of a pin 10 upon the movable carriage 22. Upon the downward motion of the carriage, it will be observed that pin 19 will swing trigger68 about its pivot 14 in opposition to the spring 69 without affecting the position of shaft 60. However, upon upward movement of the carriage, the pin 10 in striking trigger 68 causes counterclockwise swinging of the shaft 60 and this causes, lugs 6| to be moved out of the way of the ends 63 of the latch members, the springs 62 causing the latches 51 to be swung into inoperative position, the springs 66 thereupon forcing the clamp rod 49 upwardly within the limits of the slot 56 as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Figure 6 illustrates a preferred system for operating the various elements of the invention as hereinabove described. As shown in Figure 6,

the hydraulic system for operating the carriage piston and the clamp piston comprises a reservoir 12, a pump E and a motor 13 for driving the pump. The discharge line from the pump may be supplied with a gauge 14, a relief valve 15, and a strainer or filter 16, after which it branches into two lines 11 and 18. The former I1 is provided with a check valve 11a and a nor- *mally open valve G adapted to be closed by the solenoid G, and a four-way valve D which interconnects the lines 19 and 80 communicating with the Opposite ends of cylinder 39 and a line 8| connected to the reservoir 12. Line 19 is provided with a speed control valve 82 and a relief valve 83 is provided in a branch line 84 connect ing line 79 and the discharge line 85 to the reservoir 12.

Line 18 is connected by a four-way valve H with lines 86, 81 and 88. Line 86 is provided with a speed control valve 89 and communicates with the piston rod end of the clamp cylinders 59. Line 81 communicates with the opposite ends of cylinders 58 and line '88 communicates with the reservoir 72.

Flow through the valves G, D and H follows the dotted lines when the associated solenoids are de-energized. When the solenoids D, G and H are energized, the flow through valve G is cut off and the flow through valves D' and H follows the solid lines.

In the electrical circuit, all of the switches are represented in their normal position of rest. For example, the switch K is normally closed and upon actuation it is opened. In the case of switches I and I, however, they hold one circuit closed in their position of rest and upon actuation that circuit is opened and another is closed instead.

In the following description of the electrical connections, the sequence of operations of the machine will also be described.

Conductors 90 and 9| are connected to a line source of current which may be alternating current such as 60 cycles, 110 volts. Assuming that the machine has come to a stop because of the breakage of the yarn, and the operator desires to unwind the yarn on the beam to repair the break, he presses a reverse button which momentarily closes switch A. This energizes relay C which closes the three-pole switch B. This energizes line 92 and solenoid D which in turn operates the valve D' to direct fiow along the solid lines indicated. Line 93 is also energized so that the pump motor 13 begins to operate. This causes the carriage to move down since the pump is forcing liquid into the upper end of the cylinder 39. Since the clamp is open, the pistons in cylinders 50 are at their extreme position so that no further liquid can be accepted by these cylinders.

Upon the arrival of the movable warp-engaging elements of the carriage during their descent in the upper dotted line position in Figure 1, the cam face 43 operates switch F, which opens the circuit shown closed in Figure 6 and closes the other contact. This de-energizes solenoid D which causes valve D to return to its normal position in which flow is directed along the dotted lines and energizes solenoid G which closes the valve G and also energizes the solenoid H which swings valve H into the position in which it directs flow along the solid lines. The closing of valve G causes stopping of the carriage in the tensioning position represented in Figure 1 by the dotted line showing of movable warpengaging elements I 9. Since valve H has reversed the flow of the fluid to cylinders 50, they start to close the clamp because the pump is still operating. When the clamp begins to close, the pin 53b on the lug 53a is removed from the contact of switch 0 which allows that switch to close which energizes solenoid P of the relay 91.

This causes the actuation of switch Q and presets line 98 of the beam forward inching speed in readiness for subsequent energization (while disconnecting line 99 of the beam forward full speed) upon the subsequent closing of switch N during the sequence Of operations hereinafter described.

When the clamp is closed, the latches 51 (see Figure 5) release lugs 6| so that springs 62 swing the shaft 60 in a clockwise direction and pins 64 actuate switches I and I. This energizes valve D and de-energizes G and H so that the carriage now continues down and the clamp pistons are moved to the right to cause swinging of the bell crank levers 53 about ten degrees counterclockwise until they reach the position C shown dotted in Figure 1. This swings the slots 56 closer toward alignment with slots 46 so that there is a substantial clearance between the upper surface of the rounded extension of the clamping bar 49 and the upper surface of slot 56 in link 55. Thereby the clamp system is placed in readiness for subsequent quick release.

By the time that the clamp pistons have moved to bring the bell crank levers 53 into the position 0', the carriage piston reaches the end of its stroke and its shaft 33 operates switch J. This opens line 93 and consequently stops operation of the pump 13. The actuation of switch J also starts reversing of the beam motor 5 at its slow or inching speed by making a circuit through lines 94 and 95. Lines 94 and 95 are, of course, connected to the beam motor through a suitable rheostat and in such a manner as to cause reversal at slow speed. These connections are not shown since they are conventional and form no part of the invention.

It will be noted from a study of Figures 2 and 3 that the carriage for the movable warp-engaging elements 19 is released from the pawl-supporting means 3| and 32, by engagement between the lugs 4| before the piston in the cylinder 39 has reached its lowest position, so that the full weight of the carriage is transferred to the warp yarn.

The downward travel of the carriage and the unwinding of the yarn proceeds until the operator pushes the button Y which opens switch B through de-energization of relay C and energizes a coil Z for opening the switch N, thereby interrupting the circuit for driving the beam motor.

If the operator does not push button Y before the end of the carriage way, the carriage itself operates switch K to stop the beam motor.

After the yarn break has been repaired, the operator presses the forward button which closes switch L. This deenergizes relay C, if ithappens to be in energized condition at the time, so that switch B is opened if not already in open condition. The open condition of switch B deenergizes line 92 and solenoids D and G. This energizes the right coil M and closes the switch N which energizes line 96. Since switch 0 was closed upon the closing of the clamp and this in turn energized the coil P of relay 91 and operated switch Q, it will be seen that the current from line 9| will pass through line 96 and line 7 88 to drive the beam at its forward inching speed.

When the carriage has moved upwardly to bring its movable warp-engaging elements into their upper dotted line position shown in Figure l, the cam surface 44 operates switch R. This causes operation of the pump motor 13 by connecting lines 93 to 98. Since valve G is in its normally open position, the carriage piston moves upwardly and the pawls 3| and 32 pass out of the lugs 4| and seize theshoulders 30 of the carriage and proceed to raise the carriage. At the same time the pin 10 trips the trigger 88 which rotates shaft 60 and releases the latches 51. When such release occurs, the springs 65 will quickly elevate clamp bar 49 above the warp to the extent permitted by slot 56. Rotation of shaft 60 also returns switches I and I to their starting positions shown in Figure 6 in preparation for the next cycle of operations. The clamp is moved up to its top quite rapidly. When the clamp gets to the top, pin 53b opens switch which de-en1rg izes the coil P of the relay 9! and connects the line 99 to 95 to operate the beam at full forward speed. Thereafter when the carriage reaches its top position it releases switch R which swings into the position shown in Figure 6 and stops the pump. The relative speeds of clamp and carriage can be controlled by adjustment of valves 82 and 89.

When it is desired to operate the device for holding the warp in their proper relation during the taping of the ends preparatory to replacing the full beam with an empty, the electrical system is operated as followsz'The switch S is closed which energizes the solenoid T of the relay I 00 and closes the switch U. This energizes the solenoid D which turns the valve D into the full line position and starts the pump motor 13 which starts moving the carriage downwardly. When the carriage operates switch F, the solenoids of valves G and H are operated and that of D is de-energized. This starts the clamp down which closes the switch 0, thereby energizing coil P of relay 9'! which operates switch Q to connect line 96 to line 98 of the beam forward inching speed. Upon lock of the clamp, switches I and I are actuated which de-energize the solenoids of valves G and H and energizes the solenoid of valve D. This returns the clamp linkage to the position C of Figure l and takes the piston of cylinder 39 to its lowest position in which it orerates switch J, thereby stopping the pump motor 13. The full weight of the carriage is placed upon the yarn before the piston reaches the lowest position.

If the operator wishes to relieve the tension on the yarn caused by the weight of the carriage resting on the yarn, he closes switch V which operates X through relay W. This starts the pump motor 13 and de-energizes valves D, G, and H and the carriage moves upward until the operator is satisfied with the extent of tension relief, when he opens switch V. After the yarn has been taped, the operator momentarily closes the switch V which energizes the relay W and operates switch X. This starts the fiump motor I3 and de-energizes the valves D, G, and H by opening the circuit in line NH. The carriage moves upwardly causing pin to trip trigger 68 after which both carriage and clamp continue upward. When the clamp reaches its top position, pin 53b will open switch 0 which deenergizes relays W and T operating switches X and U causing pump motor 13 to stop.

Afterthis operation has been completed, 1. e., after the yarn has been taped, the dofling oi. the full beam can be completed.

The present invention provides a fully automatic system for maintaining the yarn of a warp under controlled tension for the purpose of taping the yarn ends preparatory to the replacement of the full beam with an empty and also provides for the automatic take-up of yarns being unwoun'd for the purpose of locating a broken end for repair. The device provides for the maintenance of constant tension upon the yarns throughout wind-back operations, which tension is dependent upon the weight of the movable carriage and the speed of the beam reversal which are both constant at all times. the clamp in its clamping position prevents any slippage of the yarns therebetween. The preferred arrangement in which the carriage travels along a path which is inclined both from the horizontal and the vertical serves to provide a maximum storage capacity and eliminates the swinging of the carriage which might otherwise develop because of play or backlash between its track and the guide rollers. The system also provides interlocking connections which prevent the beam from being driven at full speed at any time during which the yarns are clamped or subjected to tension by the movable warp-engaging eie-- ments.

It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Warp beaming apparatus comprising a yarn supply, a take-up beam, a reversible electric motor for driving the beam, reciprocable supporting means, means disposed transverse of the warp extending between the supply and the beam comprising a carriage releasably mounted on the supporting means and having at least one warp-engaging element movable into contact with the warp for tensioning the yarns, a guideway for the carriage, means disposed transverse of the warp extending between the supply and the tensioning means for clamping the yarns as a group. means for releasing the carriage from the supporting means, and automatic means for actuating the releasing means at a predetermined position of the carriage path in its guideway in which each warp-engaging element on the carriage is in contact with the warp and the yarns are held by the clamping means.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 comprising an electric circuit for reversing the electric motor, and means for energizing said circuit automatically after release of the carriage by the supporting means.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 comprising an electric circuit for reversing the electric motor, and a normally open switch in the circuit arranged to be closed by a part of the reciprocable supporting means when the latter is near the position of carriage release.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 comprising an electric circuit for reversing the electric motor, and a normally open switch in the circuit arranged to be closed by a part of'the reciprocable supporting means when the latter is beyond the position of carriage release.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the guideway is inclined to the horizontal.

u; 6. Apparatus .in accordance with claim 1 in The locking of mounted, a

is inclined to the horizontal and the tensioning means for clamping the yarns as a group, reciprocable supporting means for the carriage, hydraulic means for operating the clamping means, and hydraulic means forreciprocating the supporting means.

8. Warp beaming apparatus comprising a yarn supply, a winding beam, a reversible electric motor for driving the beam, a stationary clamp bar at one side of the warp and extending transverse of the warp, a movable clamping bar disposed on the other side of the warp opposite the stationary bar, spring means compressed 'by the movable bar when it is moved into operative clamping engagement with the stationary bar, and releasable means for holding the movable bar in clamping engagement in opposition to the spring.

9. Warp beaming apparatus comprising a. yarn supply. a winding beam, a reversible electric motor for driving the beam, a stationary clamp bar at one side of the warp and extending transverse of the warp, a movable clamping bar disposed on the other side of the warp opposite the stationary bar, spring means compressed by the movable bar when it is moved into operative clamping engagement with the stationary bar, means for moving the movable bar into clamping position comprising a link having a loose slotted connection, and a latch for holding the movable bar in clamping position.

10. Warp beaming apparatus comprising a yarn supply, a winding beam, a reversible electric motor for driving the beam, a stationary clamp bar at one side of the warp and extending transverse of the warp, a movable clamping bar disposed on the other side of the warp opposite the stationary bar, spring means compressed by the movable bar when it is moved into operative clamping engagement with the stationary bar, means for moving the movable bar into clamping position comprising a link having a loose slotted connection, a latch for holding the movable bar in clamping position, and means for pre-setting the clamp-moving means in a quickrelease position, said pre-setting means being rendered operative upon movement of the latch into holding position.

11. Warp beaming apparatus comprising a yarn supply, a winding beam, a reversible electric motor for driving the beam, a stationary clamp bar at one side of the warp and extending transverse of the warp, a movable clamping bar disposed on the other side of the warp opposite the stationary bar, spring means compressed by the movable bar when it is moved into operative clamping engagement with the stationary bar, guideways for each end of the movable bar, a linkage associated with each end of the movable bar comprising a pivotally mounted lever, means for swinging the lever back and forth, a link conmovable bar to the lever, a slot in the link in which the movable bar is slidably latch for holding the movable bar in clamping position, and means responsive to movement of the latch into holding position for partially returning the lever from its clamping position to align the slot in the link with the guideway.

12. Warp beaming apparatus comprising a yarn supply, a winding beam, a reversible electric motor for driving the beam, a stationary clamp bar at one side of the warp and extending transverse of the warp, a movable clamping bar disposed on the other side of the warp opposite the stationary bar, spring means compressed by the movable bar when it is-moved into operative clamping engagement with the stationary bar, guideways for each end of the movable bar, a linkage associated with each end of the movable bar comprising a pivotally mounted lever, means for swinging the lever back and forth, a link connecting the movable bar to the lever, a slot in the link in which the movable bar is slidably mounted, a latch for holding the movable bar in clamping position, means responsive to movement of the latch into holding position for partially returning the lever from its clamping position to align the slot in the link with the guideway, means for tensioning the warp comprising a carriage having warp-engaging elements movable into contact with one side of the warp, a guideway for the carriage, reciprocable supporting means for the carriage, means actuated by the carriage at a predetermined position in its path for initiating swinging movement of the lever to close the clamp, and means on the carriage for releasing the latches as the carriage returns past a predetermined position in its path.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 in which swingably mounted hydraulic cylinders and pistons therein serve to swing the levers.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 comprising hydraulic means for reciprocating the supporting means for the carriage.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 comprising means for releasing the carriage from the supporting means automatically at a predetermined position of the carriage path in its guideway beyond the first mentioned predetermined position, and means for re-engaging the supporting means with the carriage as the latter returns past a predetermined position in its path in advance of the latch-releasing position.

16. Warp beaming apparatus comprising a yarn supply, a take-up beam, a reversible electric motor for driving the beam, means disposed transverse of the warp extending between the supply and the beam comprising a carriage having at least one warp-engaging element movable into contact with the warp for tensioning the yarns a guideway for the carriage, means disposed transverse of the warp extending between the supply and the tensioning means for clamping the yarns as a group, reciprocable supporting means for the carriage, releasable means for connecting the carriage to the supporting means, and stationary means positioned along the path of the supporting means for releasing the connecting means between the carriage and the supporting means at a predetermined position of the carriage path in its guideway in which each warp-engaging element on the carriage is in contact with the warp and the yarns are held by the clamping means. a

17. Apparatus in accordance with claim 16 in which the releasable means comprises a pawl on the supporting means and a spring urging the pawl into engagement with a shoulder of a part secured to the carriage, and the stationary means comprises a fixed member in the path of the pawl for swinging the latter as it passes, in opposition to the spring, out of engagement withthe shoulder.

18. Apparatus in accordance with claim 16 in which the releasable means comprises a pair of pawls mounted on a common pivotal axis, a spring urging the pawls apart and into engagement with shoulders formed in the opposed faces of two spaced members fixed on the carriage and symmetrically disposed with respect to the width thereof, and the stationary means comprises a pair of members closer together than the members on the carriage and disposed on each side of the path of the pawls.

19. In a beam warper of the type having a warp control means between a source of warp supply and a selectively driven warp beam, said warp control means comprising a first set of rolls having fixed axes. a second set of rolls, a carrier for said second set of rolls, said carrier being mounted for movement between an upper position in which warp passing between the two sets of rolls is untensioned thereby and a lower position in which the warp is drawn into loops of substantial length, and the movement from the upper to the lower position involving a gravity descent of the carrier, said carrier being normally releasably held in said upper position, means for releasing the carrier for initial descent to an intermediate position followed by gravity descent to the lower position, means whereby said carrier may thereafter be automatically elevated to said intermediate position by the pull of the warp thereon, and clamping means for the warp between the source of supply and the sets of rolls for automatically clamping said warp while the carrier is lowered and for releasing said warp incident to the elevation of the carrier.

20. In a storage device for a warping machine, the combination of a series of stationarilymounted rotatable rolls disposed at a level below the normal path ,of the warp, a common carrier, 9. series of relatively-movable rotatable accumulator-rolls sustained by the common carrier and alternating with the stationary rolls, means for normally supporting the carrier in an upper position in which the movable rolls are spaced above the stationary rolls and above the normal path of the warp, fluid means for controlling the lowering and raising of the carrier between the upper position and an intermediate position in which at least a portion of the movable rolls are at about the same level as the stationary rolls, and means automatically operated upon the lowering of the carrier to the intermediate position for releasing the carrier with the sustained rolls from the controlling means to tension the warp under the weight of the carrier and rolls thereon during movements thereof below the intermediate position.

21. In a storage device for a warping machine, the combination of a series of stationarilymounted rotatable rolls disposed at a level below the normal path of the warp, a common carrier, 2. series of relatively-movable rotatable accumulator-rolls sustained by the common carrier and alternating with the stationary rolls, means for normally supporting the carrier in an upper position in which the movable rolls are spaced above the stationary rolls and above the normal path of the warp, positive power driven means for lowering and raising the carrier between the upper position and an intermediate position in which at least a portion of the movable rolls are at about the same level as the stationary rolls, and means automatically operated upon the lowerin of thecarrier to the intermediate position for releasing the carrier with the sustained rolls from the positive power driven means to tension the warp under the weight of the carrier and rolls thereon during movements thereof below the intermediate position.

22. In a storage device for a warping machine, the combination of a series of stationarilymounted rotatable rolls disposed at a level below the normal path of the warp, a common carrier. 9. series of relatively-movable rotatable accumulator-rolls sustained by the common carrier and alternating with the stationary rolls, means for normally supporting the carrier in an upper position in which the movable rolls are spaced above the stationary rolls and above the normal path of the warp, hydraulic positive driving means for lowering and raising the carrier between the upper position and an intermediate position in which at least a portion of the movable rolls are at about the same level as the stationary rolls, and means automatically operated upon the lowering of the carrier to the intermediate position for releasing the carrier with the sustained rolls from the driving means to tension the warp under the weight of the carrier and rolls there on during movements thereof below the intermediate position.

23. Warp beaming apparatus comprising a yarn supply, a take-up beam, an electric motor for drivin the beam, reversibly movable supporting means, means disposed transverse of the warp extending between the supply and the beam comprising a carriage releasably mounted on the supporting means and having at least one warpengaging element movable into contact with the warp for tensioning the yarns, a guideway for the carriage, means disposed transverse of the warp extending between the supply and the tensioning means for clamping the yarns as a group, means for releasing the carriage from the supporting means, and automatic means for actuating the releasing means at a predetermined position of the carriage in its guideway in which each warp-engaging element on the carriage is in contact with the warp and the yarns are held by the clamping means.

24. Apparatus in accordance with claim 23 in which the guideway is inclined to the horizontal.

25. Apparatus in accordance with claim 23 in which the guideway is inclined to the horizontal and the vertical.

26. In a storage device for a warping machine, the combination of a series of stationarilymounted rotatable rolls disposed at a level below the normal path of the warp, a common carrier, a series of relatively-movable rotatable accumulator-rolls sustained by the common carrier and alternating with the stationary rolls, means for normally supporting the carrier in an upper position in which the movable rolls are spaced above the stationary rolls and above the normal path of the warp, means for controlling the lowering and raising of the carrier between the upper position and an intermediate position in which at least a portion of the movable rolls are at about the same level as the stationary rolls, said controlling means comprising latch means for securing the carrier thereto, and means automatically operated upon the lowsting of the carrier to the intermediate position for disengaging the latch means to release the carrier with the sustained rolls from the controlling means to tension the warp under the weight of the carrier and rolls thereon during movements thereof below the intermediate position.

27. In a storage device for a warping machine, the combination of a series of stationarily-mounted rotatable rolls disposed at a level below the normal path of the warp, a common carrier, a series of relatively-movable rotatable accumulator-rolls sustained by the common carrier and alternating with the stationary rolls, means for normally supporting the carrier in an upper position in which the movable rolls are spaced above the stationary rolls and above the normal path of the warp, means for controllably lowering the carrier from the upper to an intermediate position in which at least a portion of the movable rolls are at about the same general level as the stationary rolls, said controlling means comprising latch means for securing the carrier thereto, means for automatically disengaging the latch means to release the carrier with the sustained rolls for free, gravity descent from the intermediate position, the raising of the carrier thereafter to the intermediate position being dependent entirely upon the pull of the warp thereon during winding, and positive driving means for raising said carrier from the intermediate position to the upper position.

28. A warping machine having a warp supply; a selectively driven warp beam; a storage device between the supply and the driven warp beam comprising a series of stationarily-mounted rotatable rolls disposed at a level below the normal path of the warp, a common earlier, a series of relatively-movable rotatable accumulatorrolls sustained by the common carrier and alternating with the stationary rolls, means for normally supporting the carrier in an upper position in which the movable rolls are spaced above the stationary rolls and above the normal path of the warp, means for controlling the lowering and raising of the carrier between the upper position and an intermediate position in which at least a portion of the movable rolls are at about the same level as the stationary rolls, and means automatically operated upon the lowering of the carrier to the intermediate position for releasing the carrier with the sustained rolls from the controlling means to'tension the warp under the weight of the carrier and rolls thereon during movements thereof below the intermediate position; and clamping means for the warp disposed between the supply and the storage device, means for automatically closing the clamping means to clamp the warp when the carrier is lowered, and. means for automatically releasing the clamping means from the warp when the carrier is raised.

29. A warping machine having a warp supply; a selectively driven warp beam; a storage device between the supply and the driven beam comprising a series of stationarily-mounted rotatable rolls disposed at a level below the normal path of the warp, a common carrier, a series of relatively-movable rotatable accumulator-rolls sustained by the common carrier and alternating with the stationary rolls, means for normally supporting the carrier in an upper position in which the movable rolls are spaced above the stationary rolls and above the normal path of the warp, means for controllably lowering the carrier from the upper to an intermediate position in which at least a portion of the movable rolls are at about the same general level as the stationary rolls, means for automatically releasing the carrier with the sustained rolls for free, gravity descent from the intermediate position, the raising of the carrier thereafter to the intermediate position being dependent entirely upon the pull of the warp thereon during winding, and positive driving means for raising said carrier from the intermediate position to the upper position; and clamping means for the warp disposed between the supply and the storage device, means for automatically closing the clamping means to clamp the warp when the carrier is lowered and means for automatically releasing the clamping means from the warp when the carrier reaches the intermediate position during the raising thereof.

30. A warping machine having a warp supply; a selectively driven warp beam; a storage device between the supply and the driven warp beam comprising a series of stationarily-mounted rotatable rolls disposed at a level below the normal path of the warp, a common carrier, a series of relatively-movable rotatable accumulator-rolls sustained by the common carrier and alternating with the stationary rolls, means for normally supporting the carrier in an upper position in which the movable rolls are spaced above the stationary rolls and above the normal path of the warp, fluid means for controlling the lowering and raising of the carrier between the upper position and an intermediate position in which at least a portion of the movable rolls are at about the same level as the stationary rolls, and means automatically operated upon the lowering of the carrier to the intermediate position for releasing the carrier with the sustained rolls from the controlling means to tension the warp under the weight of the carrier and rolls thereon during movements thereof below the intermediate position; and clamping means for the warp disposed between the supply and the storage device, means for automatically closing the clamping means to clamp the warp when the carrier is lowered, and means for automatically releasing the clamping means from the warp when the carrier is raised.

ERNEST K. BAUER. WILLIAM H. NEWTON.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Lambach Nov. 24, 1942 Number 

